SOC Payment Policy

Thank you for choosing Southeastern Orthopedic Center! We are committed to the success of your medical treatment and care. Please understand that payment of your bill is part of this treatment and care.

As a convenience to you, we will submit up to three different health insurance policies to your insurance company. This includes workers’ compensation, auto insurance, and personal injury. Patients are ultimately responsible for payment, including any balance not covered by the insurance carrier. Patients are responsible for any known copayments, unmet deductibles and any patient balance due from previous visits which may include balances transferred to an outside collection agency.

If you need further information about any of these policies, please ask to speak with a Billing Specialist or the Insurance Department Manager.

Methods of Payment

We accept payment by cash, check, VISA, MasterCard, American Express and Discover. We do not accept post-dated checks. Check and credit card payments can be made online (www.orthocentersav.com), via the telephone (912-644-5353) or mailed to our office at 210 East Derenne Avenue, Savannah, GA 31405.

Referral Requirements

Some health insurance plans require patients to obtain a referral or authorization before seeing a healthcare specialist. If you have an insurance plan with which we are contracted that requires authorization, our staff will initiate the request for a referral. If we have not received an authorization prior to your arrival at the office, you will be rescheduled or you may sign a waiver which states that you will be financially responsible for all services provided.

Surgery

If your physician recommends surgery, you will be contacted by a clinical staff member. Our employee will answer specific questions about the surgery scheduling process.

Individuals with one insurance policy or if you do not have insurance coverage you will be contacted by our Billing Department. The Billing Specialist will request a pre-surgical deposit from you, the amount of which depends on the cost of the proposed surgical procedure, co-insurance payment, unmet deductibles and/or patient due balances on the patient’s account. A cost estimate which shows your financial responsibility will be explained by the Billing Specialist and given to you for your records.

Minor Child Patient

A parent or legal guardian must accompany patients who are under the age of 18. The accompanying adult is responsible for payment of the account, according to the policy outlined below.

Auto Accidents/Third Party Liability

We will file either your auto med-pay insurance or health insurance coverage as primary. If you choose to have us file your claims under a TPL/MVA policy, we will file any health insurance coverage as secondary once the med-pay benefits have been exhausted. You will be required to pay $250.00 prior to being seen. This excludes Medicare patients as we are required to file auto med-pay and third-party liability policies before submitting the claim to Medicare. Medicaid is always the payer of last resort.

Insurance Contracts

We proudly participate with most insurance plans. Please contact your carrier to verify our participation.

Patient Financial Responsibility

Your financial responsibility depends on a variety of factors, explained below.

Office Visits and Office Services
If You Have…	You Are Responsible For…	Our Staff Will…
Commercial Insurance Also known as indemnity, “regular” insurance	Payment of the unmet deductible and/or applicable coinsurance/co-payment	File an insurance claim as a courtesy to you.
HMO, POS and PPO plans with which we have a contract	Informing the staff if your plan requires a referral from your PCP. If the services you receive are covered by your plan: All applicable co-pays and deductibles are requested at the time of the visit. If the services you receive are not covered by the plan: Payment in full is requested at the time of service.	Call your PCP for a referral. File an insurance claim on your behalf.
HMO (including Medicare HMO plans) with which we are not contracted	Payment in full for office visits, x-rays, injections and other charges at the time of service.	Provide the necessary information for you to complete and file your claim directly with the insurance company.
Out of Network PPO	Payment of the patient responsibility (i.e., deductible, co-pay, non-covered services) at the time of the visit	File an insurance claim on your behalf.
Medicare	Payment of the yearly deductible of $155.00 at the time of service if it has not been met. Payment of any services not covered by Medicare at the time of service. -If you have Medicare and a supplemental/secondary policy (Medigap): No payment is due at the time of service. -If you have Medicare, but not secondary insurance: Payment of your 20% co-insurance is due at the time of the visit.	File an insurance claim on your behalf, as well as up to two secondary insurance policies.
Medicaid	Payment of all applicable co-pays and non-covered items at the time of service.	Obtain any required referrals/authorizations and file an insurance claim on your behalf.
Medicare Advantage/ Private Fee For Service	All applicable co-pays and deductibles at the time of service.	File an insurance claim on your behalf, as well as to up to two secondary insurance policies.
Workers’ Compensation	-If we have verified the claim with your employer and/or WC carrier: No payment is due at the time of service. -If we are not able to verify your claim: Payment in full at the time of service.	Verify compensability, insurance carrier, claim number, mailing address and authorization requirements. File an insurance claim to the WC carrier or your employer.
No Insurance	Payment in full at the time of service. -If payment in full is not possible at the time of service: Sign and adhere to a payment agreement.	Work with you to settle your account. Please ask to speak with an appropriate member of our staff if you need assistance.